Lita Ford + Rock Goddess

@ O2 Islington Academy, London

March 12, 2017

Tonight at The O2 Islington it’s all about women in Rock & Roll. But it is also about legendary musicians that broke barriers in a male dominated scene. Lita Ford needs no introduction, but for the sake of this review I need to do one. Famously known as the guitarist in The Runaways, she then embarked on a solo career following the dissolution of the band in 1979.

Rock Goddess

Rock Goddess

Inspired by the band, Jody Turner went on to start her own band Rock Goddess in south London with her sister Julie in 1977. They went on to recruit Tracey Lamb on bass duty.

Rock Goddess

Rock Goddess

Becoming strong advocates in the new wave of British Heavy Metal, Rock Goddess built up a strong following throughout the 80s. So it is no surprise to see them open for Lita Ford tonight.

Rock Goddess

They are doing a solid job at warming up the party,as the venue is nearly full when they get on stage.

Rock Goddess

Rock Goddess

The sound is good, the energy is palpable. After being offered a marriage proposal from a member of the audience, as well as a drink after the gig, she goes on saying that it took a while to release new materials, before introducing “Back Off “.

Rock Goddess

Rock Goddess

“Heavy Metal Rock’n’Roll” closes the show and after a quick change over, it is time: The Bitch Is Back!

Rock Goddess

Setlist

1. Satisfied Then Crucified
2. God Be With You
3. Two Wrongs Don’t Make a Right
4. Take Your Love Away
5. Back Off
6. To Be Betrayed
7. The Love Lingers Still
8. Back to You
9. Flying To See You
10. My Angel
11. Heavy Metal Rock ‘n’ Roll

Lita Ford

The eighties hard rock queen is here, and shows no signs of slowing down. With Patrick Kennison on guitar, Bobby Rock on drums and Marty O’Brien on bass, the audience is witnessing some high quality show.

Lita Ford

Even broken guitar strings won’t ruin the night. Lita is rocking some red leather catsuit, and with high energy breaks into the first track “Gotta Let Go”. The band is tight, doing an excellent job.

Lita Ford

She speaks about her book “Living Like A Run Away”, which compiles some fine stories about her highs and lows throughout her long career. We are even spoiled with her playing on her Runaways good old black guitar.

Lita Ford

The obligatory drum solo follows, and it is worth mentioning that Bobby Rock, as well as being a health and fitness guru, is nothing less than a drum machine.

Lita Ford

Then follows “Back To The Cave” and “Falling In And Out Of Love”.

Lita Ford

“So you know that song from The Runaways…well, not that one… actually yes that one in the Guardians of the Galaxy movie, well here it is” is the introduction to one of the most famous Runaways song “Cherry Bomb”, sparkling the audience to sing along too.

Lita Ford

This song playing live gives me chills, what a piece of music history, in my opinion.

Lita Ford

Fellow guitarist Patrick Kennison takes on singing instead of Ozzy Osbourne on the track “Close My Eyes Forever” and quite frankly this is a very good surprise to hear him performing the song to its best.

Lita Ford

Tonight’s show closes with “Kiss Me Deadly”, it always goes too fast when you are having a great time. Lita Ford has given her all and I can’t wait for the bitch to be back agin! Long live the queen.

Lita Ford

Setlist

1. Gotta Let Go
2. Larger Than Life
3.Bitch
4. Playing With Fire
5. Relentless
6. Living like a Runaway
7. Hungry
8. What Do Ya Know About Love
9. Back To The Cave
10. Can’t Catch Me
11. Falling In & Out Of Love
12. Out For Blood
13. Cherry Bomb
14. Black Leather
15. Close My Eyes
16. Kiss Me Deadly